Valve



ch 940. Q F CARLSCN 25194,?

VALVE Filed March T, 19:58 s sheets-sheet 1 y @U5/@Tor Scarf 60450,@

Q. F. CARLSON VALVE Filed March 7, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 N O S L R A Cc... Q

VALVE Filed March '7. 193s 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 'Pdfefdmealfarao' 114s'A f.PATENT OFFICE VALVEv Oscar- F. Carlson, Kenilworth, Ill., assignor of Yone-half Ato Oscar F.

Carlson Company,

Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois, and onehall' to Everett N.McDonnell, Chicago. lll.

Appucauon Maren 7, 193s, serial No. 194,365

z claims.

This invention relates to valve assemblies and is more particularlyconcerned with electrically operated valves andthe like. 1

One of the .principal objects of this.. invention is the provision of amovable valvev which is provided with a sealing bellows which acts, notonly as a seal, but also as a dashpot to prevent sudden l A furtherobject of the presentinvention, parf ticularly in connection with abellows-sealed valve, is the provision of a swivel connection and ahousing construction which can accommodate diierent installationconditions by permitting the 25 valve housing to be turned to differentpositions relative to the casing or other supporting part to which thevalve housing is connected, the swivel connection accommodating thisadjustment while permitting the valve, which is sealed by the dash-i potbellows, to be adjusted with the valve housing.

These and other objects and advantages of. this invention will beapparent after a consideration of the following detailed description ofthe preferred` embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings illustrating K the same. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a central section'taken through a valve assembly embodyingthe principles of this invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary end view of the valve construction shown inFigure 1;

Figure 3 is a top view of the construction shown v in Figure 1, thecover being removed;`

Figure 4 is a section taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 1; Figure 5 isa diagonal section taken along 'the line 5-5 of Figure 4;

- Figure 6 is a section taken along the line 6 6 of Figure 1;

Figure 'I is an enlarged section taken along the line |'I`of Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of one of the clamping members holdingthe valve`housing inv place; and

Figures 9 vand 10 show a modified form of valve assembly embodyingcertain features of the present invention.

Referring now more particularly to Figure 1, the valve assemblyconstructed according to the principles of the present inventionembodies a valve housing I having wall means 2 and 3 between whichan'outlet chamber 4is dened. An

apertured threaded boss 5 provides for -the connection thereto of thefluid line in which the assembly is incorporated. The lower portion ofthe valve housing I is closed by a plate l and forms a chamber 8 inwhich a strainer 9 is disposed. The chamber 8 has an inlet II in the lform ofan apertured threaded boss.

The wall 3 of the valve housing I is provided with a screw threaded plugI5 of hard material, such as stainless steel, and serves as a valve seatfor a reciprocable valve I6 which has a lower tapered end Il preferablyformed of stainless steel or the like. The upper end of the valve I8 hasa reduced section I8 which passes through an opening I9 in the centralportion of a circular plate 20 which is fastened to the ange 2| at theupper end of the housing I by any suitable means, such as screws 22. Theupper portion of the valve `I6 is connected by swivel means to suitableoperating linkage which will be described later.

'Ihe valve I6 extends throughA a guide bushing 38 which is screwed intoa threaded, opening 3l in the housing wall 2 in alignment'with the valveseat I5. The guide bushing 30 is shouldered, as at 33, and has aninwardly extending ange section 34, which clears the valve I8 byv asmall amount, as indicated at 35. A sealing bellows 3l has 'a head 38which is soldered or otherwise fixed to the valve I6, preferably againsta small shoulder 4I! at the upper end of the valve, and the lower openend of the sealing bellows 3l is soldered or otherwise fixed to theupper end of the guide bushing 30.

The valvel I6 is moved toward or away from its seat I5 by axialreciprocation thereof, and during such movement of the valve I6 thebellows 3l acts las a dashpotto restrain sudden movement of the valve,particularly in a closing direction. To this end, the clearance 35 islarge enough to admit iluid from. the outlet chamber 4 into the interiorofthe bellows' 31, but the clearance 35 is nevertheless small enough toprovide the desired restraint upon sudden movements of the valve I6.This'action is secured, of course, without interfering with the actionof the bellows 31 In sealingA the opening in the valve housing 'Ithrough which the valve I8 extends. In this connection it is to be notedthat the bellows 31 is not subjected to the inlet pressure but only tothe outlet pressure in the chamber 4, which is, of course, smaller thanthe inlet pressure in the chamber 8.

The mechanism for operating the valve I6 is carried Within a casing 50that is mounted at the upper end of the valve housing I. The casing 50includes an elongated housing, preferably a casting 5|, which has anopen upper end 52, an intermediate wall 53 dividing the casting into twochambers 54 and 55, the latter having an op'en lower end portion 56,provided with apertured downwardly facing bosses 51, the opening 56being generally square and the bosses 51 being at the corners thereof,as indicated in Figures 3 and 4. The intermediate dividing wall 53 isextended horizontally, as at 53a, and downwardly, as at 53h, to providea chamber receiving the solenoid 60, the solenoid 60 being supported inposition by a pressed metal cup 6| or the like fastened to the casing 5|by three screws 62, as best shown in Figures 1 and 3, threaded intoapertured bosses 63, as best shown in Figures 1 and 3. The casing 50 isprovided with an opening 65 adjacent the solenoid so as to accommodateconductors, such as those indicated at 66, for delivering current tosolenoid 60.

The valve housing and the casing 5| are fastened together by means bestshown in Figures 2, 4, and 5. A pair of companion clamping members 1|and 12, one of which is shown in perspective in Figure 8, embraces theange 2| and the plate 26 secured thereto, and each clamping member is agenerally rectangular formation and has a semicircular opening 15,flanges 16, 11, and 18 at three sides thereof, and bolt receiving holes19 and 80 in the corners, as best shown in Figure 8. When the twomembers 10 and 1| are disposed about the upper end of the valve housingi, the flange 2| of the latter overlies the openings in the members 10and 1| but clears the corner portions in which the bolt receivingopenings 19 and 80 -are disposed. Cap screws 82 are inserted in theseopenings and then threaded into the opposite bosses 51 so that when thescrews 82 are tightened the members 10 and 1| hold the valve housing upin position with respect to the housing 50, but when the screws 82 areloosened, the valve housing I may be turned to any position therein.After the valve housing has been placed in the proper position the setscrews 82 may be tightened which willclamp the housings I and 50together. While reference is made to the rotation of the valve housing Iwith respect to the housing 50, it is to be understood that the housing50 may be turned with respect to the housing I by the same action, asdescribed above.

The operating linkage whereby the solenoid 60 controls the valve |6 iscarried within the casing 50 and will now be described, particularly inconnection with the swivel connection between the linkage and the Valve|6, it being remembered that the valve I6 is connected to the valvehousing I by a sealing bellows so that when the houslng I turns withrespect to the housing 50, the

valve |6 moves with the housing I, and hence theA connection between thevalve I6 and linkage must be such as to accommodate this relative move.ment.

The linkage for operating the valve I6 is indicated in its entirety bythe reference numeral 90 and includes a generally U-shaped lever 9|pivotally mounted on a pin 92 which is held in position in aperturedbosses 93 and 94 formed in the casing 5|. The pin 92 is held in place byone or more screws 96. The sides 98 and 99 of the lever 9| areapertured, as best indicated in Figure '7, to receive a pin |0| on whichthe arms |02 and |03 of a U-shaped link |04 are swung. The intermediateportion of the link |04 is provided with an aperture |06 that receives astem |01 formed on or carried by the upper end of the valve I6. A collar|08 is placed on the upper end of the stem |01 to connect the valve I6and link |04 together against relatively axial movement but permittingrotation of one with respect to the other to form a swivel connection bywhich the valve I6 and associated parts may be turned or rotated withrespect to the operating linkage for the valve. A roller I|0 is mountedon the pin |0| between spaces and ||2 and forms means whereby swingingmovement of the lever 9| about the pivot pin 92 downwardly moves thevalve I6 to its closed position but without introducing any side thruston the valve. Upward movement of the lever 9| will act through the link|04 to move the valve I6 upwardly to permit Aliquid to flow from theinlet chamber 8 upwardly through the bushing I5 to the outlet chamber 4.

A lever |20 is pivoted on a shaft |2| carried in any suitable manner bythe casting 5|, as by a pair of apertured bosses |23 and |24 formed onthe side walls of the casing, as best shown in Figure 3. Preferably, theshaft or pin |2| is held in place by one or more screws |26 threadedinto the boss apertures from the outside of the casing 5|. The lever |20has a pair of arms |29 and |30 which are apertured-to receive a pin |32on which the upper end of a generally U- shaped link |33 is pivoted. Thelower end of the link |33 is pivoted on a pin |35'which extends throughthe outer end of the lever 6|.

The other end of the lever |28 is formed with a pair of arms lili and|02 which are apertured and receive a pin |44 that extends through theupper end of the solenoid armature |45. A. U-shaped strap |48 isfastened on opposite sides of the plunger laminations |46 by anysuitable means, such as rivets |50. The strap |48 and the plungerlaminations |46 are bored, as at |53, to receive a pair of rubberbushings |54 and |55 through which the pin |44 is disposed, as bestshown in Figure 6. Preferably, the rubber bushings |54 and |55 haveheads or flanges |58 and |59 so that there is no electrical or metallicconnection between the end of the arm |20 and the plunger |45.

The upper end of the strap |48 carries an etched plate |60, andunderneath the plate |60 is a soft rubber washer or other suitablesealing member |6I, both being held to the member |48 by a rivet |62 orthe like. The upper portion of the casing 50 is closed by a cover |63having an opening |64 formed therein in line with the plunger |45, whichopening is adapted to be closed by the sealing washer |6|. A spring |61has a coiled portion disposed about the pivot shaft |2| and ends |68 and|69 engaging, respectively, the arm |20 and the portion 53a of thecasing 50. As will be apparent, the action of the spring |61 is to holdthe valve |6 down against its seat |5 against the pressure in the inlet.The cover 63 is held in place over the opening 62 by any suitable meanssuch as screws |10, these being threaded into apertured bosses |1|formed in the casing 5|. The solenoid e the connection between-theplunger |45 and the l' ymagere 60 is 'provided with a soft insert |14formedvof sponge rubber or similar material so that when ,the solenoid60 is actuated to'draw the plunger |45 downwardly and open the valve, nometal-- to-metal contact will be established, and it the l solenoid 60is energized by alternating current no undesirable vibrations will beset up.` The rubber bushings |54 and |55 also serve to cushion wardlythrough the link |04 against the valve I6 to open the same whichIpermits uid to flow through the valve housing I. It will be noted thatin opening the valve the solenoid 60 pulls` against the spring |61 butthat the inlet pressure. vin the chamber 8 aids in opening the valve,the inlet pressure being greater than the outlet pressure in the chamber4. Thus, the solenoid 60 in operation is required to overcome only thedifferential between the spring |61 and the inlet pressure eiective onthe valve I6. The spring I61'is, ofcourse, strong enough to close thevalve I6 against both the inlet and outlet pressures in the chambers 8and 4. A

When the valve I6 is opened, the bellows 31 is extended, drawing intothe interior thereof a quantity of uid from the chamber 4. When thecurrent through the coil 60 is interrupted,

the spring |61 acts immediately to close the the arm |20v valve. Byvirtue of the roller connection at I|0 between the operating linkage andthe valve I6, all side thrust on the valve is eliminated, thereby`assuring that the valve I6 will be seated properly. The movement of thevalve I6 towards its seat compresses the bellows 31, but before this canoccur some of the uid on the inside of thebellows must be expelledfromvthe interior thereof through.v the clearance 3,5 (Figure 1). Thiscausesv the bellows 31 to act as a dashpot to prevent closing of thevalve I6 too suddenly. If

the valve I6 were permitted to .close suddenly,

water hammer might be set up in* the associated piping, but byemployingthe bellows 31. as a dashpot; water hammer is eiectively eliminated.

If it should be desired to .change the location of the outlet 5 and theoutlet Illlwith respect to therasing 50, or vice versa, all that it isnecessary to do is to loosenthe cap screws 82 and turn either the casing50 or thevalve housing relative to the other and then. tighten the capscrews.

Under certain conditions it might be desirable to open the valve I6 byhand, and this can be done conveniently by inserting a finger in theopening |64 and depressing the push plate |60 on the end of the arm |20.This makes vit un. necessary to provide any piping by-passing the valveunit. The push plate |60 and openingv |64 -are on top of the casing/5|so as-to be easily accessible.

A somewhat simplified form' of the present invention is shown in Figures9 and 10. In this form the valve housing is indicated at 20| andincludes walls 202 and 203 forming an inlet chamber 204 and an outletchamber 205. Bosses 206 s housing 20 and 201 provide for the usualcoupling connections. The lower portion of the inlet chamber 204includes a closure plate 209 fastened in place by any suitable means,such as cap screws 2I0. 'I'he plate 209 has avthreaded opening 2I2receiving a drain'plug 2I3. j The plate 209 is shouldered, as at 2 I5,and receives a screen 2 I 6 clamped between the closure plate 209 and a`shoulder 2I8 formed in the lower face of the housing wall 203. The wall203 has a threaded-opening'220 which receives a screw threaded plug 22|formed of any suitable material, such as stainless steel or the like,and is apertured to form a valve seat 222. y The housing 20|l above thewall 202 is provided with a threaded section 230 in the lower portion ofvwhich a disc 23| is seated. A screw threaded ring 232 holds the disc'inplace against ythe shoulder formed by the wall 202, and the disc 23| isapertured to receive a reciprocable valve 235 which has a lower conicalend 236 and an upper bifurcated end 231. VA sealing bellows 240 issoldered or otherwise disposed about the opening in ,the plate 23|'through `which the.

valve extends, and at itsrupper end the vhead of the bellows 240 issealed or d. otherwise rigidly.

fastened to `the valve 235. [The valve. housing 20| is iianged as at 245and apertured as at 24.6 toreceive cap screws 241. which are screwed-into threaded bosses 248 formed on Athe casing 249 which is adapted tobe connected to the valve thev valve housing 20| and the casing 249 andhas a central opening 25| to serve as a guide for `the upper end of thevalve 235.

A plate 250 is clamped betweenl lThe casing 24s is substantiauyidenucalwith the casing 50 described above, havinga chambered`section` 253 tovreceive the solenoid 60; However, instead of taking out the solenoidconnections 66 through a side opening, vthe casing 249 is formed with anopening 255 in an upper wall through which the leads 66 may beextended.-

At this portion of the casing249 a side vopening 256 vis provided, butnormally itis closed by a. plate '251 held in place by screws 258, sothat if it is desired to take the leads 66 out of the` .casing 249 in ahorizontal` direction, theplate -251 may be removed. The upper end -ofthe casing 249 is closed by a cover plate 259.

The operating linkage for controlling the valve 235 is substantially thesame,d as 'has been described above, and hence a number of'the samereference numerals have been utilized. The

solenoid 60 acts through the .plunger |45 against the lever |20 which atits short end is connected to the link |33. In Figure 9, however, thelink`v indicated at v9| lin Figure 1 is not employed.

Instead, a pair of right and v,left-hand plates or levers .260 and 26|(Fig. 10) arepivoted, as at 263, to lugs 264 formed on or carried by theplate 250. At Athe other end, `the levers 260 vand 26| `have laterally.outwardly deflected sections 265 and 266 which are pivotally connectedby the pivot |35 to the lower end of the vconnecting link' |33. Each ofthe plates or levers 260 and 26| is providedv with a slot. 268 in thecentral portion thereof, the slots 268 being in registry and arranged toreceive a roller 210 nwhich is mounted ona pin 21| extending throughlthe arms 231a and 23111 (Figure 10)y at the upper bifurcated end 231 ofthe valve 235. The pin 21| is held cotter` keys or the like.

Inthe form of the invention shown in Figure 9 vin place, with the roller210 inthe slots 268,

there is no swivel connection between the operating linkage in thecasing 249 and the valve 235. Instead, the plate or disc 23| can beshifted to various positions relative to the valve housing 20| afterloosening the ring screw 232. The valve housing 20|, being fastened tothe casing 2|!! by four screws, may be disposed in any one of fourdifferent positions, and for this purpose the plate 23| is provided withtwo projections 215 (Figure 9) which seat in two of four recesses 216(Figure 10) formed in the upper surface of the wall 202. Since theprojections 215 are arranged at 180 apart about the axis of the valve235, and since there are four openings 215 to receive the projections215, it will be seen that by loosening the ring screw the plate 23| maybe lifted out of the holes 216 and the valve housing then turned to anyone of three other positions and the projections 215 then seated in twoof thefour recesses 216, after which the ring screw 32 can be tightened.The valve housing 20| can then be fastened to the casing 249 in its newposition. While this construction does not afford the number ofpositions available in the construction shown in Figures 1 and 2, it hasthe advantage of being somewhat simpler.

The slots 268 are accurately formed in the plates 260 and 26|, so thatas the levers shift under the control of the linkage |20, |33, thecenter of pressure between the levers 260 and 26| and the valve 235 alsoshifts so that the thrust applied to the valve is always in an axialdirection. By virtue of this construction, all side thrust on the valveis eliminated, thereby assuring that the valve 235 will be seatedproperly.

The operation of the unit shown in Figures 9 and 10 is substantially thesame as in the construction shown in Figures 1 and 2. The spring |61serves to hold the valve closed against the inlet pressure in thechamber 204, and when it is desired to open the valve 235, the solenoidis energized, which pulls down the plunger |45 and causes the lever |20to act through the link |33 to raise the valve into its open position.In

this operation the solenoid 60 has to exert only suillcient power toovercome the differential between the inlet pressure in the chamber 204and the pressure of the spring I 61. When the current through the coil60 is interrupted, the spring |61 returns the valve to its closedposition against the inlet pressure, this movement of the valve beingcushioned by the bellows 240 as described above in connection withFigure 1.

While I have shown and described above the preferred structure in whichthe principles of the present invention have been embodied, it is to beunderstood that my invention is not to be limited to the specificdetails shown and described, but that, in fact, widely diiferent meansmay be employed in the practice of the broader aspects of my invention.

What I claim, therefore, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A valve construction for a closed liquid-tight containing system andparticularly adapted to prevent water hammer, comprising a valve housinghaving inlet and outlet chambers with a valve seat therebetween, bothchambers being normally filled with substantially incompressible liquid,a valve member movable to close against said seat to shut off liquidflow therethrough, a bellows sealing said valve member to said housing,and means providing a restricted communication between the interior ofsaid bellows and one of said chambers, the amount of restriction beingsuiiicient to prevent water hammer by accommodating only a small rate ofdisplacement of the liquid from the interior of said bellows.

2. A valve construction as defined in claim l, further characterized bymeans for operating said valve member comprising means adapted to havesufficient force stored therein for moving said valve member into closedposition against the hydraulic pressure in said one chamber, andreleasable means for moving said valve member into open position, saidmeans when released serving to release the force stored in said firstmeans.

OSCAR F. CARLSON.

